Draft-rigging for railway-cars.



No. 653,822. Patented my I7, |7900.

H. H.' sessions.

DRAFT HIGGINS FOB RAILWAY CARS.

(No Modeh) Patented July I7, |900.

IW Illllll' H H SESSIONS DRAFT RIGGING FUR RAILWAY CARS.

n led-Apr. 19, 1900.'

(www w fQM/ No. 653,822. Patented July I7, i900.

H. H. SESSIONS.

' DRAFT RIGGING FOB RAILWAY CARS.

(Application filed Apr. 19r 1900.)

(No Model.) 3 SheetS--Sheet v3.

7 y M L f [Wm-- l Iill! v I we uonms mans co., wom-uma., wmnaran n c I NrrnD STATESV y PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY II. SESSIONS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE STANDARD coUPLER COMPANY, or Naw YORK, N. Y. t

DRAFT-HIGGINS FOR RAILWAY-GARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 653.822, dated July 1'7, 196e.

Application filed April 19, 1900, Serial No. 13,521. (No model.) j

To au whom t may concern:

Beit known thatLI-IENRY H. SEssIoNs,aciti zen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Coolr and State of Illinois,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Draft-Rigging forl Railway- Cars; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ot'- this spec-ification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in draft-rigging for railway-cars,and more especially to that class of draft-rigging designed for withstanding the strains incident to the use of heavy rolling-stock or long trains and wherein the power and action of the draft and buii'ing springs are augmented or modified by the employment of friction-surfaces.

One object of the invention is to provide a draft-rigging capable of being readily substituted for the draft-rigging on rolling-stock now in use, dispensing, when desired, with the use of draft-timbers and presenting, when applied, the greatest possible facilities for repairing or renewing worn or broken parts. Ordinarily the renewal ot' a broken or collapsed spring is an undertaking of some moment, requiring the labor of several workmen and an expenditure of considerable time for its accomplishment. These objections are overcome by my present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively light and cheap structure in which the resistance of the draft and buiiing springs shall be so augmented and modified that springs of ordinary Vstandard size and power may bo utilized for the draft-rigging of rolling-stock of practically-unlimited weight and without occasioning shock or oscillating movement of any of the cars in starting, stopping, or Varying speed and regardless of the length of the train.

The invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be now described, and pointed out particularly in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a Vertical section taken longitudinally through a draft-rigging and end framing of a car, showing the application of my present improvement. Fig. 2v is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a 55 horizontal section taken centrally of the draftbar. Fig. t` is a top plan view, on a reduced scale, of the casting or housing for the workl ing parts of the draft-rigging. Figs. 'and 6 are front and side elevations, respectively, 6o of said casting or housing, the latter ligure being partially broken away or in section. Fig. '/'is an end elevation of one of the transversely-movable wedge-blocus. Figs. 8 and 9 are side and face elevations of one of the 65 longitudinally-movable wedge-blocks.

Like letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

In applying a draft-rigging embodying my present invention to a car-frame of ordinary 71o construction a filling-piece A is preferably introduced between the two central longitudinal sills A of the car-body to aord a solid plane base, to which the draft-rigging may be attached, although it will be understood that 75 the use of this filling-piece is optional, and the draft-rigging may, where so desired, be attached directly to the ordinary sills without the use of either a filling-piece or the drafttimbers ordinarily connected with the sills 8o and between which the usual draft-rigging is supported. To the sills A and lling-piece A, when employed, a casting or housing B is attached by vertical bolts passing through any one of a series of holes b, Fig. 4, additional means forprevepting the movement of said housing or casting longitudinally being provided in the shape of anges, lugs, or projections b b2, which are adapted to be let into the sills or filling-pieces, as will be readily 9o understood from an inspection of Figs.1 and 2. The casting or housing B consists of two guides or supports B', arranged transverselyT and in alinement with each other on opposite sides of a central passage-way into which the draw-bar projects, as will be presently explained..

The two supports B B are connected together by the central portion of the casting (see Fig. 5) and serve primarily as the guides roo and supports for transversely-moving wedgeblocks C, which latter are mounted in said supports B' and are guided and held in place by substantially-plane friction-faces c, which coperate with corresponding seats c' in the supports B', whereby the transversely-movable wedge-blocks are heldin alinement and are capable of a movement toward and from each other, but are held against tilting or inclination such as would cause them to bind in their supports or guides while moving in one direction or the other, and should pressure be applied to said wedge-blocks, tending to force them transversely of their line of movement, the surfaces vc c' constitute friction-surfaces for retarding such movement. The inner ends of the wedge-blocks C are provided with projecting inclined faces O' toward the front and back of the draft-rigging, while the top and bottom faces C2 of such projecting portions are preferably substantially horizontal and iiat for supporting that portion of the draft-rigging intermediate the two transversely-movable wedge-blocks.

The draft-bar E is provided with a yoke F, attached thereto in the usual manner by means of pins or rivets f, and the rear end of the draft-bar, together with said yoke, extends back between the two supports B' of the housing B, with the opening in the yoke in alinement with the wedge-blocks. Coperating with said transversely-movable wedgeblocks are two oppositely-arranged wedge or, more properly, seat blocks G, mounted in opposite sides of the yoke F, the portions of said seat-blocks G which project into the yoke being formed to fit substantially accurately 'in the opening of the yoke, so as to move in unison with said yoke and draft-bar. The outer faces of the blocks G are formed with seats having inclined faces g, corresponding to and adapted to coperate with the inclined faces C' of the transversely-movable wedgeblocks. The construction ot' the wedge or seat blocks G is well illustrated in Figs. 8

land 9, wherein it will be Seen that each of said blocks is provided with a top and bottom web g', bridging the space between the inclined faces g and adapted, when the parts are assembled,to rest upon the faces C2 of the blocks C and so support the inner end of the draftkbar rand yoke, although it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other suitable means for supportingsaid parts may be employed without departing from my invention.

The longitudinal movement of the draftbar is limited bystops H, formed on the casting orhousing B at front and rear and with which the blocks G contact under excessive strain, and the said stops H are preferably `portions of the casting xor housing B through which the attaching-bolts for securing the structure to the sills of the car are. passed.

The seat or Wedge blocks G are provided with .a central slot or elongated opening G', and the transversely-movable Wedge-blocks C are provided with longitudinal openings C3, Fig. 7, said openings being adapted for the passage of a transverse bolt K, which extends Way through the draft-rigging from side to side and is adapted to retain cap pieces or plates L'in position over the ends of the supports or guides B' of the ho using B. Between these plates or caps L and the transverselymovable wedge-blocks suitable draft and buffer springs are arranged. `As shown, the springs lettered M are coil-springs nested in the pocket formed bythe outwardly-extending portions of the Wedge-blocks C and adapted to force said wedge-blocks inwardly. The caps or plates L are provided with flanges l, adapted to iit in suitable seats l' in the outer ends of the guides or supports B', and a sufficient play is allowed'between the outer ends of the wedge-blocks C and said plates or caps for permitting said blocks to move outwardly and the draft-bar to advance or recede to the full extent of its movement, and in order to provide for the utilization of springs of different standard lengthssuch, for instance, as seven or eight inch springs-the said cap pieces or plates L are provided on one face with projections L', which when turned inwardly to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 will partially fill the springboxes and permit the use of shorter springs than would be practicable with the said caps or plates turned as illustrated in full lines in said figure.

The through-bolt K may be provided with a nut or any other approved means for locking the caps or plates in position on each end and withstanding the spring-pressure, and inasmuch as said bolt constitutes the means whereby the parts are held in their Working positions, in so far, at least, as the yielding pressure is concerned, it is obvious that by loosening the fastening means and removing one or the other, or both, of said caps or plates IOO the springs may be withdrawn or the transversely-movable wedge-blocks may be withdrawn for renewal or repairs. Thus, it may be said, it is only necessary to remove a single nut or fastening device for reaching and renewing any of the working parts, and the parts are of sn ch shape and size that it is practicable for a single workman to make a complete repair in a short space of time.

In order to insure a full contact of the in- IIO clined faces of the wedge-blocks under all conditions, a slight looseness or tilting movement is permitted the blocks G in the yoke F, and to secure this without weakening the parts the said blocks Gare each provided with a flange N, adapted to rest against the outer E' the vdraw-bar is moved in either direction. .f

It is preferred also that the two blocks, 'Gr

shall have their adjacent faces similarly formed to form central bearing-points at N2, thus relieving the yoke and flanges N of strain, as the two blocks will form mutual supports under the action of the transverselymovable blocks and springs, relieving the yoke of all strain save the longitudinal strain incident to the draft or bufng movements.

It is obvious that with a draft-rigging such as described strains tending to move the draftbar longitudinally will operate first against the friction-surfaces formed by the inclined faces g C, and this being converted into transverse movement of theblocks C will cause the compression of the springs M, the movement of the blocks O, however, being retarded by the friction surfaces or faces c c', which latter faces, it will be noted, extend at right angles to the line of draft and are caused to act by reason of the fact that the longitudinal movement of the draft-bar tends to crowd the transversely-movable wedge-blocks toward one side or the other of theirguides, and thus we have double friction-surfaces for retarding or modifyingthe action of the springs.

It will be appreciated at once that the resistance of the springs is amplified greatly by the use of the wedge-blocks and that by substituting Wedge-blocks having working faces set at a greater or less inclination a variation in the resistance may be secured, enabling the dra ft-rigging to be made of standard size and adapting it for use on heavy or light rolling-stock by the simple substitution of different wedge-blocks.

The action of the friction-surfaces in addition to the increased resistance secured is to make the movement of the draft-bar sluggish, thereby preventing backlash or oscillation of the cars, and at the same time a full range of movement is permitted. The inclines of the wedge-blocks meet at the center line of transverse movement of the wedgeblocks C, and consequently there is little tendency of said blocks to tilt and bind in their guides, and any such binding is further prevented by long friction-bearings on the sides of said wedge-blocks.

Having thus described vmy invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is*

l. In a draft-rigging for railway-cars the combination with a draw-bar, wedge-blocks having working faces inclined in opposite directions to the line of draft and connected to move in both directions in unison with said draft-bar, of oppositely-located transverselymovable wedge-blocks having working faces corresponding to the Working faces of the wedge-blocks moving with the draft-bar, and adapted to coperate therewith on opposite sides and independent springs for said transverselymovable wedge-blocks for moving them toward each other; substantially as described.

2. In a draft-rigging the combination with a draft-bar, wedge-blocks having working faces inclined in opposite directions to the line of draft and mounted to move in unison With said draft-bar in both directions,transverselymovable Wedge-blocks having correspondingly-inclned working faces, springs for advancing said transversely-movable Wedgeblocks and a/tlrough-bolt passing centrally through all of said wedge-blocks for contin- 'ing the springs; substantially as described.

3. In a draft-rigging the combination with a draft bar, wedge blocks having operative faces inclined oppositely to each other on each side of the line of draft, transversely-movable wedge blocks having correspondingly -inclined operative faces, springs for advancing said transversely-movable wedge-blocks and a through-bolt arranged transversely of the line of draft for confining the springs and holding the transversely movable wedgeblocks in operative position; substantially as described.

4;. In a draft-rigging the combination with a housing having means for attachment to the car-f rame and transversely-extendin g guides, of a draft-bar, wedge-blocks mounted to move in unison with said draft-bar and havingoppositely-inclined working faces on each side of the line of draft, transversely movable wedge blocks mounted in said transverse guides and having correspondingly-inclined IOO sides of said transversely -movable Wedgeblocks, springs interposed between said caps and wedge-blocks and a th rou gh-bolt passing through said caps and Wedge-blocks for retaining the parts in their operative positions, of a draft-bar and wedge-faces moving in unison therewith for coperating with the transversely-movable wed ge-blocks; substantially as described.

6. In a draft-rigging the combination with the housing having transversely-extending guides and a central longitudinally-extending channel-way for the draft-bar with stops at opposite ends of said channel-way, of transversely-movable wedge-blocks mounted in said guides,springs for advancing said Wedgeblockstoward eac-h other, a draft-bar, wedgeblocks moving in both directions in unison with said draft-bar and having oppositely-inclined operative faces on each side of the line of draft for lcooperating with the transverselymovable wedge-blocks and stop-surfaces adapted to coperate with the stops on the housing for limiting the longitudinal movement of the draft-bar; substantially as described.

7. Ina draft-rigging for` railway-cars, the combination with a housing formed of a sin- IIO a easa gle casting having transversely-extending guides and a central channel-way With stop projections in said channel-Way, of transversely-movable `Wedge-blocks mounted in said guides and having friction -bearings therein and springs for ad vancing said Wedgeblocks, of a draft-bar having Wedge-blocks connected for movingin unison therewith in both directions and provided With Working` faces inclined in opposite directions on both sides of the line of draft and stop-surfaces adapted to contact with the stop-surfaces in said. channel-way for limiting the movement of the draft-bar; substantially as described.

8. In a draft-rigging for railway-cars the combination with the draft-bar, Wedge-blocks moving in unisontherewith in both directions and having Working faces inclined in opposite directions on each side of the line of draft, of transversely-movable Wedge-blocks, springs for advancing said Wedge-blocks and guides for said Wedge-blocks having frictional bearing surfaces for retarding the transverse movement of the Wedge-blocks; substantially as described.

9. In a draft-rigging, the combination with a lon gitudinally-m ovable draft-bar andtransversely-movable blocks moved transversely by the longitudinal movement of said draftbar, of fixed guides for said transversely-movable blocks having friction-surfaces for retarding such movement and springs for advancing the blocks; substantially as described.

lO. In a draft-rigging for railway-cars the combination with the draft-bar having Wedgeblocks connected therewith for unitary movement in both directions and oppositely-inclined Working faces on said Wedge-blocks, said inclined Working faces meeting at a central. point, of transversely-movable Wedgeblocks having oppositely-inclined working faces extending from the side approximately to a central point whereby the tendency to tilt said transversely-movable Wedge-blocks by the longitudinal movement of the draftbar is reduced, and springs for ad vancing the transversely-movable Wedge-blocks to resist the longitudinal movement of the draft-bar; substantially as described.

ll. In a draft-rigging the combination with the housing having `the transversely-extending, guides With the substantially-plane guiding-surfaces on front and rear sides, of alongitudinally-movable draft-bar, Wedge-blocks movable in unison therewith and having oppositely-inclined Workin g faces, transverselymovable Wedge-blocks cooperating with the longitudinally movable wedge blocks and having oppositely-located plane friction-surfaces at front and rear for cooperating with the plane surfaces in the guides and springs for advancing the transversely movable Wedge-blocks; substantially as described.

12. In a draft-rigging the combination with the longitudinally movable draft bar, the Wedge-block mounted to move in unison therewith and havin gcentrall y-airan ged elongated.

opening, of a transversely-movable Wedgeblock, a spring for advancing said Wedgeblock and a through bolt forY compressing said spring passing through said elongated opening in the longitudinally-movable Wedgebloc'k'; substantially as described.

I3. In a draft-rigging for railway-cars the combination with a draft-bar, a yoke carried by said draft-bar, independent wedge-blocks mounted in said yoke on opposite sides of its longitudinal cen ter andv having recesses therein with oppositely-inclined wedging-surfaces, of transversely movable spring pressed Wedge-blocks having projecting oppositelyinclined surfaces coperating with the corresponding surfaces of the Wedge-blocks mounted in the yoke ;V substantially as described.

14. In a draft-rigging the combination with the draft-bar, the yoke connected therewith, oppositely-arranged Wedge-blocks mounted in said yoke and each having a projecting bearing-point for cooperation with thebearing-point on the other block for permitting of a limited rocking movement in the yoke of oppositely arranged transversely movable Wedge-blocks and springs for advancing the same; substantially as described.

l5. In a draft-rigging the combination with an integral housing having a central channelway for the draft-bar, transversely-extending guides and a series of vertically-extending apertures for the supporting-bolts whereby the housing may be applied to car-frames of different builds, transversely-movable wedgeblocks in said guides and springs for advancing said Wedge-blocks, of a longitudinallymovable draft-bar mounted in said channel- Way and Wedge-blocks moving in. unison With said draft-bar for cooperating with the transversely-movable Wedge-blocks; substantially as described.

1G. In a draft-rigging for railway-cars the combination With an integral housing having a central draft-bar channel-Way and transversely-extending guides as described, of transversely-movable wedge-blocks mounted in said guides and having inclined Wedgingfaces at front and Vrear projecting into said channel-Way with substantially horizontal top and bottom faces, of a longitudinallymovable draft-bar, Wedge-blocks connected with said draft-bar and having Webs overlying the substantially-horizontal surfaces of the transversely movable wedge blocks,

whereby the rear end of the draft-bar is held against vertical movement; substantially as lOO IIO

the springs are confined, said caps having projections on one side for reducing the size of the spring-box When turned inwardly; substantially as described.

1S. A Wedge-block for draft-rigging of railway-cars having a projection at one side for entering the draft-bar yoke, a shoulder N and a recess at the opposite side having plane oppositely-inclined Wedge-surfaces; substantially as described.

19. A Wedge-block for draft-rigging of railway-cars having a projection at one side for entering the yoke of a draft-bar, a shoulder N, a recess in the opposite side having plane in- @lined Wed gin g-su rfaces at front and rear and a web at top and bottom of said recess; substantially as described.

20. A transversely-movable Wedge-block for draft-rigging of railway-cars having a substantially cylindrical outwardly extending portion constituting a spring-box and an in- Wardly-extending projection having oppositely-inclined plane Wedging-surfaces with substantially-horizontal top and bottom surfaces; substantially as described.

HENRY H. SESSIONS.

VVit-nesses:

GEO. A. PosT, ALEXANDER J. STEWART. 

